2027
Saint Lucians can expect construction on the long-awaited replacement of the John Compton Dam raw water pipeline to begin in the first half of 2027, with completion targeted for June 2030.
The timeline was announced Thursday during the launch of the Ninth Water Project: John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project at Harbor Club.
The EC$61 million (US$22.8 million) investment is expected to strengthen Saint Lucia’s largest water supply network, improve reliability and reduce recurring service disruptions caused by the ageing pipeline.
WASCO Chief Executive Officer Zilta George-Leslie acknowledged that construction on a project of this scale will inevitably cause some disruption, but said the utility will communicate potential impacts early and work closely with affected communities throughout the process.
George-Leslie described the project as a turning point for the country’s water infrastructure, marking a shift from managing the limitations of the existing system to replacing one of its most critical components.
Approximately five kilometres of raw water pipeline from the Millet intake will be replaced. The northern water network, which stretches from Millet to Gros Islet, serves roughly 58% of WASCO customers and supplies about half of the potable water consumed in Saint Lucia.
The network supports homes, schools, businesses, hotels and the cruise sector, meaning major failures can have far-reaching consequences across the country.
Installed in the late 1980s, the existing pipeline has operated well beyond its intended service life. George-Leslie noted that an entire generation of Saint Lucians has been born, educated and entered the workforce since it was installed, while the pipeline has continued carrying water far longer and under greater strain than originally intended.
Maintaining the ageing infrastructure has also become increasingly difficult. WASCO crews routinely enter rugged, heavily vegetated terrain to repair breaks, often requiring shutdowns that interrupt water service to thousands of households and businesses. George-Leslie said WASCO must continue keeping the existing system operational while preparations advance for its replacement.
The project is being financed by the Caribbean Development Bank, with joint funding support from the governments of France and Italy.
Caribbean Development Bank Portfolio Manager in the Economic Infrastructure Division, Cavon White, said the investment extends beyond simply replacing old infrastructure, introducing a modern, climate-resilient pipeline designed to withstand increasing environmental pressures.
Minister for Physical Development and Public Utilities Keithson Charles said nearly four decades of corrosion, difficult terrain and repeated ruptures have left the existing pipeline delivering restricted flows while demanding unsustainable levels of maintenance.
Charles also pointed to the wider challenge of water loss, saying Saint Lucia is losing approximately 50% of its water through the national system and warning that the country “cannot build a modern nation on leaking pipes.”
Officials expect the replacement project to deliver a more reliable water supply while strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure against future climate and environmental pressures.
